Your Complete, Chronological Wedding Planning Checklist

Find out what needs to be done when planning your wedding with our month-by-month guide.

by The Knot

iStock; The Knot

If you're just engaged, starting to envision your wedding and wondering about all the things you'll need to do—and when—then you're in the right place.

Of course, there's no prescribed or exact timeline because everyone's engagements are different lengths—and you can successfully plan a wedding in as little as a few months if that's what you want to do. But we're here to give you a little snapshot of all your wedding to-dos to steer you in the right direction (especially if your engagement length fits the bill as "average," which is a little over a year).

(Pro tip: For an interactive version of what to do when—from defining your aesthetic to mapping out your day-of timeline—go to
The Knot All-In-One Wedding Planner App. Start by taking our fun Style Quiz and we'll pull together a custom wedding vision and vendors to match, just for you.)

First, think "big picture."

(Hint: You're more than a year out, or just beginning the wedding planning process.)

Contact rental companies if you need to rent anything for the ceremony or reception, such as chairs, tables and a tent.

Send save-the-date cards. Heck, send them even earlier (around 10 to 12 months out) if you're marrying during a tourist or holiday season or having a destination wedding.

You've hit the halfway mark.

(Hint: You're about 6 to 8 months out.)

Now for some fun aspects of wedding planning: booking your ceremony musicians, ordering—or telling your wedding party to order—wedding party attire, and starting to plan that honeymoon, if you're aiming to jet off right after your wedding.

It's right around the corner.

Book your hairstylist and makeup artist and go for a trial run with both.

You have one month to go!

(Hint: You guessed it, you're one month out.)

Apply for a marriage license—check with the local bureau in the town where you'll wed.

If you're wearing a wedding dress, have your final fitting. Bring your maid of honor (or other wedding party members) along to learn how to bustle your dress. Have the dress pressed and bring it home.

Speaking of wedding party members, call them to make sure they have their outfits ready for the wedding.

Make last-minute adjustments with vendors, if necessary.

Create a wedding program to hand out to guests at your ceremony.

Order and plan in-room welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.

It's the final stretch.

(Hint: You're about 2 weeks out.)

Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet sent a response.

Deliver must-have shot lists to your photographer and videographer. (Pro tip: Include who should be in formal portraits and determine when portraits will be taken.)

Deliver your final song list to your DJ or bandleader, and make sure to include special song requests and songs you don't want played.

Get your last prewedding haircut and color, if necessary.

Ah, you're counting down the days!

(Hint: You're one week out.)

Give your reception site and/or caterer your final guest head count. (Include vendors, such as the photographer or band members, who will expect a meal!) Ask how many extra plates the caterer will prepare.

Supply the location manager with a list of vendor requests such as a table for DJ or setup space needed for a florist.

Plan the reception seating chart, and print place and table cards (or finalize the list with the calligrapher you've hired).

Call all wedding vendors and confirm arrangements—give the ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers.

Get your hair trimmed, if necessary.

Attend your bach parties if you haven't yet.

It's the final countdown.

(Hint: You're 2 to 3 days out.)

Depending on what you're wearing, have your gown pressed or steamed, or go for a final fitting for your formalwear.

If necessary, make sure all groomsmen attend fittings and pick up their outfits.

Determine wedding party positions during the ceremony and the order of the party in the processional and recessional.

Hand off place cards, table cards, menus, favors and any other items for setting the tables to the caterer and/or reception site manager.

Reconfirm final details with all vendors. Discuss any necessary last-minute substitutions.

Call the limousine or car rental company for pickup times and locations, and arrange for guests without cars to be picked up from the airport or train station. Ask friends, attendants or relatives to help.

Deliver welcome baskets to the hotel concierge; include names and delivery instructions.

It's tomorrow!

Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding.

Write checks and/or talk to wedding hosts (usually your parents, if not you) about any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception.

Rehearse ceremony. Meet with wedding party, ceremony readers, immediate family and your officiant at the ceremony site to rehearse and iron out the details.

Bring unity candle, aisle runner, yarmulkes or other ceremony accessories to the site.